It has only been nine months since the 4G spectrum auction was completed, but
Ofcom is already looking ahead to the provision of 5G mobile broadband.

The communications regulator Ofcom has identified a number of new spectrum bands as potential candidates for future mobile broadband use.

This includes spectrum in the 2.3 and 3.4 GHz bands, which are currently owned by the Ministry of Defence, spectrum in the 700 MHz band, which is currently used for digital terrestrial TV, and the so-called ‘white spaces’ that sit in the frequency band used to broadcast digital terrestrial TV.

In addition to these immediate priorities, Ofcom has identified a number of spectrum bands that might be suitable for use for mobile data in the longer term.

For example, the UK Government is assessing the possibility of releasing up to 100 MHz of spectrum in the 2.7 GHz band. Additional spectrum in the 3.6 GHz band, which is currently used for satellites links, is another potential candidate.

The spectrum identified represents approximately seven times the amount of spectrum released as part of the 4G auction, according to Ofcom.

When combined with developments in mobile technology, such as 5G, and the introduction of more advanced mobile networks, Ofcom estimates that this new spectrum could boost mobile data capacity by more than 25 times between now and 2030.

The regulator said that, as well as providing better mobile services for consumers, the spectrum could also be used support the growth of machine-to-machine (M2M) communications – a key enabler of the ‘internet of things’.

Connecting devices in this way has the potential to deliver significant benefits to society in areas such as transport, healthcare, energy and agriculture. Globally, up to 50 billion devices are forecast to be connected to the internet by the end of the decade.

“The demands for mobile data will only increase as millions more wireless devices connect to the internet and each other," said Ed Richards, chief executive of Ofcom.

“We’re looking at ways to use spectrum more efficiently and consider future releases of prime spectrum. By doing so, we can help to meet the significant demands placed on our wireless infrastructure and develop one of the world’s leading digital economies.”